Second Chances

Several years ago, on May 27, 2005, I married a man that was deploying to Iraq soon.  We said goodbye on September 25, 2005 and were divorced in June of 2006, before his deployment was over.  We had some gut wrenching decisions that were not easy for any couple, let alone newlyweds. 

The next thing I knew was that he was married and deploying again.  I tried to keep tabs to make sure he was doing all right, but we were no longer in contact.

Much to my surprise he contacted me on December 31, 2012.  I was not as pleasant as I could have been, but, with the history, I was pleasant enough.  He reached out again a few days later and I found out he was divorced, then a few weeks later he reached out again, and ultimately, I wanted to find out what was going on.  I started to listen, started paying attention, and then accepted his invitation to fly out to see him when he was on break from college.

As many of us know, long distance relationships do not work and I wanted to give this a chance.  I resigned from my job and moved 1300 miles to give this a shot.  So far things are going well, but I have a few hesitations due to my anxiety, but so far, I am happy to say no red flags have went off.

Wish me luck!  Are any of you with exes and it has worked out for your second chance?  Any stories are welcome.

Weight Loss Blues

Weight loss this week: .5 pounds

I have had so many ups and downs lately as far as weight loss goes and healthy habits.  Right when I think I am so good at this weight loss thing, reality kicks in.  I stopped counting calories thinking that I finally have this down.  I do not.  I still choose unwisely if I do not hold myself accountable by writing it down.  Granted, I am better off now than when I started, but I know I could be doing so much better.

It really is true; weight loss is a lifestyle.  I have been doing this since October and I still have many of the same struggles.  I still run to food when I am on an emotional roller coaster before remember that exercise gives me the same stress relief.  I wonder how long it takes to finally get this weight loss thing and not go back to the unhealthy habits?

If any of you have the answers, please let me know.  Sometimes I scare myself thinking I am going back, but the one thing that I have not done that the "old" me would have done is to totally give up.  I will have a few bad days then think, "I don't even feel good making those choices," rather than "Well, I totally screwed that up.  I stink and I will never be able to lose the weight." 

It looks like maybe I should pat myself on the back for not completely giving up and knowing that a few bad days don't need to lead to gaining all this weight back and then some extra.

Today I linked up with:

It's Time to Talk about Sexual Violence

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month.  The National Sexual Violence Resource Center has published many resources to help get this important discussion started.

Please click on the links below to go to the publication:

Healthy Childhood Sexual Development

Resource for Parents and Caregivers

Talking to your Child

It is important for children to get information from their parents starting early.  The resources above can be a great help.  If you have older children that have not had the discussion, it is not too late.

I hope that some of you start this discussion. If you want more resources, please let me know.  Share this using the toolbar below or the buttons to the side.